Reuse and Recycle

Reuse

Let’s now look at what we can reuse. Reusing includes using the same item again for the same function and also using an item again for a new function. Reuse can have both economic and environmental benefits. New packaging regulations are helping society to move towards these goals. Some ways of reusing resources include:

  • Use reusable bags when shopping.
  • Use gray water. Water that has been used for laundry, for example, can be used to water the garden or flush toilets.
  • At the town level, purified sewage water can be used for fountains, watering public parks or golf courses, fire fighting, and irrigating crops.
  • Rain can be caught in rain barrels and used to water your garden.

What are some other ways to reuse resources?

Recycle

Now we move on to recycle. Sometimes it may be difficult to understand the differences between reusing and recycling. Recycling involves processing used materials in order to make them suitable for other uses. That usually means taking a used item, breaking it down, and reusing the pieces. Even though recycling requires extra energy, it does often make use of items which are broken, worn out, or cannot be reused.

The things that are commonly recycled include:

  • Batteries.
  • Biodegradable waste.
  • Electronics.
  • Iron and steel.
  • Aluminum (Figure below).
  • Glass.
  • Paper.
  • Plastic.
  • Textiles, such as clothing.
  • Timber.
  • Tires.

These aluminum cans are packed together in a recycling plant to be reused.

Each type of recyclable requires a different recycling technique. Here are some things you can do to recycle in your home, school, or community:

  • If you have recycling in your community, make sure you separate aluminum, plastics, glass, and paper products.
  • See if your school recycles. If not, you and some friends could start a recycling club, or organize efforts to better recycling goals.

Laws can also be created to make sure people and companies reduce, reuse, and recycle. Individuals can vote for leaders who stand for sustainable ecological practices. They can also tell their leaders to make wise use of natural resources. You can also influence companies. If you and your family only buy from companies and restaurants that support recycling or eco-friendly packaging, then other companies will also change to be more environmentally friendly.

CK-12 Foundation, Life Science. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/